Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform (MAWLR) issued an urgent notice, alerting Namibians against partaking in unauthorized land sales, particularly on designated resettlement farms.
The appeal comes after a series of reported illicit land allocations, sales, and occupations on specific farms in the Oshikoto Region.
Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata, the Executive Director of the ministry said they have identified the farms involved in these illicit dealings as Chudib-Nuut No. 1137, Urwald Farm No. 1150, and Tsintsabis No. 881.
She indicated that all the farms are located approximately 62 kilometres north of Tsumeb along the Tsumeb-Katwiti road and have been under the MAWLR’s purview since 1991.
“These lands are classified as resettlement farms acquired in line with Section 14 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, 1995 (Act No. 06 of 1995). Contrary to some misinformed beliefs, these farms are in commercial zones, not communal areas,” she said.
Nghituwamata stated that beneficiaries have already been selected and allotted these farms in accordance with the act.
“Despite these clear guidelines and allocations, the Ministry is concerned about emerging reports indicating that some individuals, including members of the Tsintsabis community, are engaged in illicit land transactions on these farms. This unlawful activity has led to multiple cases of unauthorized land grabbing and allocations,” she said.
Nghituwamata reiterated that only the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Reform holds the authority to allocate land on resettlement farms, as per Section 37 of the Agricultural (Commercial) Land Reform Act, Act No. 06 of 1995.
“Citizens are urged to remain alert and not become victims of these unauthorized land transactions. Any suspicions or knowledge about such illegal land dealings should be promptly reported,” she warned.
Nghituwamata said that people genuinely interested in resettling are encouraged to adhere to the official channels and procedures set out in the National Resettlement Programme.
“As a starting point, the Division of Lands Office in Tsumeb and other regional MAWLR offices can provide detailed information about the application process for resettlement farms or land,’ she said.
